NAF Plane Crash: Senate Probes Aircraft Maintenance, Orders Comprehensive Investigation<\/p>\n
The Senate has resolved to investigate budgetary provisions for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft following the reported crash of a military aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed 25 lives.<\/p>\n
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, expressed deep concern over recurring military aircraft crashes, which have resulted in the loss of personnel and raised serious questions about aircraft maintenance, the condition of ageing fleets and compliance with operational safety standards.<\/p>\n
In a statement by EmemMaria Ntedodom, Head of Information, Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Senate President, Akpabio said the serviceability, airworthiness and operational readiness of military aircraft remain critical to national security.<\/p>\n
He noted that the continued loss of military personnel through avoidable aviation accidents underscored the urgent need for adequate funding, regular maintenance and strict adherence to internationally accepted aviation safety standards.<\/p>\n
The Senate President warned that failure to conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the latest crash could undermine efforts to prevent similar tragedies and ensure the safety of personnel entrusted with defending the country.<\/p>\n
Consequently, he urged the Federal Government to prioritise adequate budgetary provisions for the regular maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement of ageing military aircraft to enhance operational efficiency and safeguard lives.<\/p>\n
Akpabio also mandated the Senate Committees on Air Force and Aviation to undertake an assessment visit to the crash site, engage relevant NAF authorities and conduct a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.<\/p>\n
He called on the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to undertake a thorough investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make their findings public.<\/p>\n
According to him, the investigation should identify possible operational and maintenance deficiencies, establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.<\/p>\n
The Senate President reaffirmed the importance of strengthening legislative oversight of military aviation operations, particularly in ensuring that funds appropriated for aircraft maintenance are effectively utilised.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, who moved the motion at plenary on Tuesday, informed the Senate that a NAF ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on October 5, 2026, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NAF Plane Crash: Senate Probes Aircraft Maintenance, Orders Comprehensive Investigation The Senate has resolved to investigate budgetary provisions for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft following the reported crash of a military aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed 25 lives. The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, expressed deep concern over recurring military […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":152785,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[3616,396,3617,3265],"class_list":["post-152782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-others","tag-naf-plane-crash","tag-probe","tag-senate-committees-on-air-force-and-aviation","tag-senate-president-akpabio"],"yoast_head":"\n